FCS Tarleton State Upsets FBS Program for 2nd Straight Season, Beats Bowling Green

Division I-FCS Tarleton State defeated an FBS program for the second straight season on Saturday after taking down host Bowling Green, 20-13.

Last year, the Texans went on the road and beat Army 30-27 in double overtime.

On Saturday, Tarleton State running back Tylan Hines amassed 297 yards from scrimmage (250 rushing yards on 26 carries plus 47 receiving yards on two catches).

Quarterback Kaden Anderson also threw touchdown passes to wide receivers Tanner Schmidt (in the first quarter) and Marquis Willis (in the second) to help give the Texans a 17-0 lead. Alejandro De La Poza hit a 23-yard field goal in between those scores.

Bowling Green fought back, though. Austyn Dendy scored a touchdown on a three-yard rush late in the second quarter, and Travis Kenner hit a 40-yard field goal in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 17-10.

The two teams traded field goals early in the fourth quarter, pushing the score to 20-13.

Bowling Green had a chance late to tie or even take the lead. However, BGSU's final two drives both ended on the Tarleton State eight-yard line.

On the first occasion, Bowling Green got stuffed on a 4th-and-1.

On the second time around, the clock hit zero after Jay Kastantin hit Brennan Ridley with a 15-yard pass.

In between, Tarleton State had a 92-yard drive, thanks largely to an 83-yard Hines run, but the superstar fumbled on third down, giving BGSU one last chance following a touchback. However, Tarleton State held on for the big win.

The Texans joined Division I-FCS in 2020 after making the leap from Division II. Tarleton State is a strong program, going 12-1 last year and sharing title honors in the United Athletic Conference with Abilene Christian. They earned the No. 4 seed in the playoff bracket and reached the quarterfinals before losing to Villanova.

The 2026 Texans are 2-0 after beating Prairie View A&M 49-30 to start the season. They entered this week ranked No. 5 in the AFCA FCS Coaches poll.